Transformations in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Surgical Practices: A Longitudinal Study of Trends and Predictions

Introduction: The workload for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery is expected to rise with an increase in life expectancy and a growing population. Surgical modalities for BPH have evolved, shifting toward minimally invasive transurethral procedures. This study aimed to investigate the trends in BPH surgical procedures across medical centers in Israel. Methods: Data from seven academic medical centers in Israel from 2010 to 2022 were analyzed. Procedures included open prostatectomy, transurethral prostatectomy (TURP), holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), and photovaporization of the prostate (PVP). Statistical analyses were employed, including t tests, ANOVA, and ARIMA models. Results: Over 12 years, 13,478 BPH procedures were performed. TURP was the most common (72%), followed by open surgery (12%), HoLEP (12%), and PVP (3%). Annual procedures increased by approximately 5% each year, with a cumulative surge of 63% cases by 2022. The average patient's age remained stable. TURP and HoLEP showed continual growth, while open surgery declined. HoLEP exhibited a shorter length of hospital stay compared to other modalities. Predictive models suggest open prostatectomy will cease within 2 years, while TURP and HoLEP will continue to rise. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant increase in BPH surgical procedures over time, with a notable preference for TURP and HoLEP. The findings emphasize the importance of size-independent techniques like HoLEP for optimal healthcare management in the future.